UK Knife Crime Rates | The Shocking Statistics and How to Tackle the Problem
Did you know that in the past 12 months, knife crime has seen a 5% surge?
In this blog, we're sharing more shocking statistics like this one, as well as how we can all help to tackle the problem.
What is Knife Crime?
Knife crime is the phrase used to describe a criminal offence committed using knives, or other bladed or pointed instruments.
This definition is aligned with the wording of relevant laws in England and Wales. It’s important to note, therefore, that knife crime legally includes activities using instruments other than just knives.
There are two types of behaviour related to knife crime. The first concerns the ownership or possession of a knife when doing so is illegal. The second concerns using a knife to commit a criminal offence, such as violence or threats against another person.
Recent Statistics: UK Knife Crime Rates
The shocking numbers below have all been taken from data on UK knife crime rates summarised by the Office of National Statistics:
Between March 2022 and March 2023, approximately 50,500 offences took place across England and Wales involving a sharp instrument
In 2022/23, West Midlands Police recorded the highest rate of knife crime, with 178 offences per 100,000 population
Between March 2022 and March 2023, more than 19,000 cautions and convictions were made across England and Wales for possession of a knife or offensive weapon
In 2022/23, there were 3775 ‘hospital episodes’ recorded in England due to assault involving a sharp instrument
How is the UK Tackling Knife Crime?
As of late 2023, the UK government are pursuing a new Criminal Justice Bill on knife crime, which will:
“1. Enable the police to seize, retain and destroy knives held in private when they are lawfully on private property and have reasonable grounds to suspect the item(s) will likely be used in connection with unlawful violence.
2. Increase the maximum penalty, from six months’ imprisonment to two years’ imprisonment, for the offences of private possession, importation, manufacture, sale or supply of prohibited offensive weapons and of selling knives to those under 18.
3. Introduce a new offence of possession of a knife or offensive weapon in public or private with intent to use unlawful violence. The offence will carry a maximum penalty of four years’ imprisonment.”
The bill also directly tackles the rise of zombie-style knives and machetes, which will be outlawed under the new legislation and subject to a surrender and compensation scheme launching later this year in the summer.
Back in January, the Labour Party shared their proposed action plan to cut knife crime. The plan sets out to achieve its aim by being tough on both the crime itself and its causes.
For Labour, this means swiftly punishing offenders instead of just warning them, and also preventing young people from getting involved in knife crime in the first place by offering support and targeting those most at risk.
What Should I Do If I See Someone Carrying a Knife?
If you notice someone carrying a knife or other bladed or pointed instrument in a place where they shouldn’t be (such as, for example, on the street or in a train station), you should report this immediately.
This can be done by calling the police on 101 or, alternatively, using the anonymous reporting feature in our imabi Guardian app to inform Crimestoppers.
They will then escalate your report to the relevant authority with the legal responsibility to investigate further, make arrests and charge people to bring them to justice.
Together, we can help tackle rising UK knife crime rates. Head over to the App Store or the Google Play Store to download imabi Guardian today.
Before you go, why not read more about our partnership with Crimestoppers?
